NJ: Speak up for dogfighting victims.

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Urge your senator to support Senate Bill 1923

Unfortunately, New Jersey is one of 10 states left with an outdated law on the books that stigmatizes victims of dogfighting. This law requires puppies and dogs seized from convicted dogfighters to be deemed “vicious” or “potentially dangerous,” which could take away their chances for finding a home. The good news is that legislation has been introduced to remove this stigma, as well as the subjectivity of declaring a dog “vicious” or “potentially dangerous.” Today is your chance to help ensure that this lifesaving legislation becomes law.

Senate Bill 1923 would give municipalities the opportunity to evaluate each dog as an individual. Laws that create sweeping presumptions about dogs simply based on their past do nothing to promote public safety. It’s time for New Jersey to update its law so that it’s consistent with the vast majority of the nation and promotes safe and humane communities throughout our state.

Take action today by urging your senator to support this bill with a “yes” vote.

Thank you for speaking up. Together, we are ending discrimination against dogfighting victims to Save Them All.

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Dear [Decision Maker],

As a constituent, I urge you to support S 1923. New Jersey is one of just 10 states still with an outdated law on the books that stigmatizes victims seized from dogfighting rings. S 1923 would remove this presumption and ensure that the focus is on the individual dog and safe, humane communities.

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N.J.S.A.:22-26.1 mandates that the label of "vicious dog" be automatically applied to any dog found to have "engaged in dog fighting activities" and the label of "potentially dangerous" to be applied to any dog found to have "been trained, tormented, badgered, baited or encouraged to engage in unprovoked attacks upon persons or domestic animals." It doesn't matter if the victim is an eight-week-old puppy, a stolen pet, a dog who could not be trained to fight, a breeding mother dog, or an innocent dog who could thrive in a home. These labels are often a death sentence for dogs. Canine victims of cruelty deserve a second chance.

S 1923 removes the presumptive stigma that dog victims seized from cruelty are inherently dangerous. If passed, municipalities will be given the opportunity to evaluate each dog as an individual, and New Jersey will no longer be one of the 10 remaining states to have an outdated law still on the books. Laws that create sweeping presumptions about individual dogs simply based on their past do nothing to promote public safety or safe and humane communities. Indeed, some of the dogs seized from Michael Vick's property went on become therapy dogs. The opinions of experts (animal behaviorists, veterinarians and animal welfare professionals) should be considered in determining whether a dog can recover from a background involving the cruel sport of dogfighting. S 1923 allows for such opinions and evaluations before the fate of a dog is determined.

Five states in the past six years (California, Wisconsin, Delaware, Rhode Island and Florida) have deleted similar provisions with strong bipartisan support and without opposition. It's time for New Jersey to do the same.

Sincerely,